zealous

adjective

Definition of zealousnext
as in fervent
feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc.; filled with zeal zealous fans She was one of the president's most zealous supporters. The detective was zealous in her pursuit of the kidnappers.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of zealous Law firms have long sought to make use of close relationships at the Justice Department to assist their clients, which many lawyers consider zealous advocacy. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 17 June 2026 One by one, Pryor named 42 defendants who had been caught up in sting operations by zealous investigators who manufactured crack cocaine and sold it, arresting the buyers at the end of the process. — Rafael Olmeda, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026 Meanwhile, Harris welcomed her endorsement by Dick Cheney, who was not a very popular vice president but was a zealous defender of torturing Muslims. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 After Diego Lopes’ finish of Steve Garcia in the opener, beer rained from the sky as zealous fans threw cups — doubling as a nod of gratitude to the clouds overhead, which held back from dumping actual rain and thunderstorms that had threatened the evening. — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zealous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zealous
  1. fervent
  2. enthusiastic
  3. ardent
  4. passionate
Adjective
  • England versus Mexico was an all-time epic played in one of sports’ most fervent atmospheres at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • These 15 mountain towns in California offer contemporary amenities amid the beautiful landscapes that inspired one of nature’s most fervent champions.
    — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Definition of fervent
Adjective
  • China, the world's top crude importer, has not been particularly enthusiastic about purchasing Iranian oil, despite traditionally being the main buyer of the country's energy.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • None of these kids sits at the top of the Australian rankings, but behind them is a team of enthusiastic parents who formed a non-profit – Red Dirt Australian Rodeo – to raise money for the trip.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • These ardent vows notwithstanding, the riven Ahab periodically yearns for the peace and comforts of home while viewing such tender, human feelings as weakness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • While most of us know about laundry, decluttering, and scrubbing the bathroom, there are some tasks that even the most ardent cleaners may overlook.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
Definition of ardent
Adjective
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Mexico’s passionate fans blasted horns outside the England hotel to disrupt players’ sleep, and the start of the match was delayed an hour because of a thunderstorm.
    — Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of passionate

Browse Nearby Words

zealots
zealous
zealously
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Cite this Entry

“Zealous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zealous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zealous

Nglish: Translation of zealous for Spanish Speakers

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